Nip/Tuck Season 5: What the hell happened?

I've been a fan of FX's Nip/Tuck since the 3rd season. The series, while arguably one of the most unrealistically plotted shows of all time, has always had it's own unique appeal. Combine the semi-educational plot points of plastic surgery with the vast interpersonal tension between the characters and top it off with a surprising amount of talented actors, and you've got the makings of what is usually a good 45 minutes of TV.

But after 4 seasons of every imaginable surgery and having seen Dr. Troy sleep with at least 90% of his female clientele, the show had a rough 5th season, which wrapped up earlier than usual (last week, in fact) due to the Writer's Strike. This season, the show went into a million directions at once and waited until the very last minute to explain it all, and while that's probably swell for ratings, it made keeping track of plot lines more of a chore than a pleasure.

Moreover, characters whom dedicated fans have grown to love (if for no other reason than their ability to mess up) have maybe messed up a little more than belief could be suspended upon.

So lets get this straight. Sean and Christian's son Matt (and yes, he is both of their sons) has dated the following: a lesbian cheerleader, a very convincing transsexual, a nazi, a model-turned-porn star turned-Scientologist turned-meth addict turned-porn star again and now? His own long-lost sister. Whose virginity he took. Can they take him any lower if they tried?

And the season finale ended with basically everyone either badly wounded, brain damaged or having a nervous breakdown. The 6th season is said to begin in the Fall, but the fans need closure, damn it!

Other season lows include the poorly executed IDF soldier character haunted by the ghost of the suicide bomber who disfigured her, a serial-killing talent agent, "the best" medical specialists who don't know mercury poisoning when they see it and Christian *ing a woman to death (sorta).

The big rumor is that next season will be the last, and I wouldn't be shocked if that were true. I don't think these characters could survive any more abuse.